More than 100 arrests made in underage-drinking sting

Suspects used fake IDs, some bought on Internet

From staff reports

Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 3:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 3:10 p.m.

BOONE — More than 100 people have been arrested and charged in an operation aimed at deterring underage purchase and possession of alcoholic beverages, specifically targeting ABC-permitted outlets in the Appalachian State University and the high country area, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced Monday.

The operation grew out of the alcohol-related death of an Appalachian State University student in September, officials said in a news release. Special agents in the Alcohol Law Enforcement division of the Department of Public Safety conducted several covert enforcement operations.

So far, 103 people have been arrested on 155 charges, according to the release. Most of the charges were for underage possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages, aiding and abetting underage possession of alcohol and using a fraudulent ID to obtain alcohol.

ALE agents said several types of fake ID documents were provided to and used by the suspects, who obtained them through the Internet from sources in foreign countries. More than 30 fake IDs were seized.

Agents also found underage people buying alcoholic beverages by using legal IDs of other people 21 and older.

“Underage consumers using a fraudulent identification document to buy alcoholic beverages are putting their own life and other lives at risk,” Kieran Shanahan, secretary of the Department of Public Safety, said in the release. “Purchasing, possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages not only is a violation of the law, it could cost people their lives.”

Because of the number of arrests, ALE special agents and the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission hosted a training seminar for ABC retailers on March 7 to help retailers and their employees identify fake IDs that may be used to buy alcoholic beverages.

ALE will continue efforts in the Boone area to prevent underage people from purchasing, possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages.

ALE special agents have authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense anywhere in the state. Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of the state alcoholic beverage control and drug laws.

<p>BOONE — More than 100 people have been arrested and charged in an operation aimed at deterring underage purchase and possession of alcoholic beverages, specifically targeting ABC-permitted outlets in the Appalachian State University and the high country area, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced Monday. </p><p>The operation grew out of the alcohol-related death of an Appalachian State University student in September, officials said in a news release. Special agents in the Alcohol Law Enforcement division of the Department of Public Safety conducted several covert enforcement operations. </p><p>So far, 103 people have been arrested on 155 charges, according to the release. Most of the charges were for underage possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages, aiding and abetting underage possession of alcohol and using a fraudulent ID to obtain alcohol.</p><p>ALE agents said several types of fake ID documents were provided to and used by the suspects, who obtained them through the Internet from sources in foreign countries. More than 30 fake IDs were seized.</p><p>Agents also found underage people buying alcoholic beverages by using legal IDs of other people 21 and older.</p><p>“Underage consumers using a fraudulent identification document to buy alcoholic beverages are putting their own life and other lives at risk,” Kieran Shanahan, secretary of the Department of Public Safety, said in the release. “Purchasing, possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages not only is a violation of the law, it could cost people their lives.”</p><p>Because of the number of arrests, ALE special agents and the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission hosted a training seminar for ABC retailers on March 7 to help retailers and their employees identify fake IDs that may be used to buy alcoholic beverages.</p><p>ALE will continue efforts in the Boone area to prevent underage people from purchasing, possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages.</p><p>ALE special agents have authority to arrest and take investigatory action for any criminal offense anywhere in the state. Their primary responsibility is the enforcement of the state alcoholic beverage control and drug laws.</p>